Locusts could help detect forever chemicals

• Harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are notoriously difficult to detect. The process requires expensive, specialized lab instruments that are tough to use in the field.

Catch up quick: PFAS are a class of man-made chemicals used in nonstick and fire-resistant products that are widespread in U.S. tap water and soil.

• They've been linked to cancers, as well as immune and developmental damage in children.

State of play: MSU scientists found that neurons in a locust's brain can differentiate between different PFAS compounds and different concentrations, according to a news release and the published research.

Zoom in: The scientists tracked activity in the part of the brain where locusts process scent.

• They surgically prepared and immobilized live locusts, exposing their brains to record how brain cells respond to chemicals detected by their antennae.
• They exposed the bugs to gases with different PFAS chemicals.

• Their brains responded differently to different ones, each producing a different "odor fingerprint."

What they're saying: "Biology may offer a completely different way to detect PFAS," Debajit Saha, associate professor of biomedical engineering, said in the release.

• "If living sensory systems can recognize these chemicals, we may be able to build faster, more versatile tools for monitoring contamination.

What's next: The researchers will now see if their approach can detect PFAS outside a lab setting.